Havre de Grace

Situated at the head of the Chesapeake Bay at the confluence of the Susquehanna River is the quaint, historic town of Havre de Grace (Harbor of Mercy).  The city was founded in 1782 and incorporated in 1785.  It was nearly named the Capital of the United States in 1789.  When the House of Representatives voted on a permanent location for the capital there was a tie between Havre de Grace and Washington, the deciding vote was cast by the Speaker of the House.  We began our tour at the Concord Point Coffee Company where the proprietor gave Harry a brief history of the town and Leslie picked up a walking tour map.  We proceeded to the old lock on the Susquehanna River, terminus of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal. 

Historic Canal With Swing Bridge

Lock Keepers House

The canal was built because the Susquehanna River is very shallow and too rocky to allow for the transportation of goods.  Operating from 1840 to 1897, the canal was 45 miles long and connected the Pennsylvania Canal at Columbia with the Conestoga Canal at Safe Harbor.  This allowed goods to be shipped from Central Pennsylvania to Baltimore and Philadelphia.  Shallow draft barges were pulled through the locks by mules.  We walked along the “Lafayette Trail” admiring the historic homes along the way.  Soon we reached the Concord Point Lighthouse built in 1827 which claims to be the longest continuously operating lighthouse in the country. 

Concord Point Lighthouse

 

Memorial Park at Concord Point

A wooden promenade connects the Lighthouse and its surrounding park with Millard D. Tydings Memorial Park and City Yacht Basin where Hali and “Somewhere” awaited our return.  

Hali Patiently Waiting

  We then took Hali for a long walk in the park which was being enjoyed by many of the local residents celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends. 

Memorial Day Remembrance at Millard D Tydings Park

Annapolis

We had a short window of calm water on Thursday morning which we took to make our way to Annapolis. Because the forecast winds were to reach 30 knots in the next few days, we opted to go into a marina instead of taking a mooring ball in Spa Creek which is our preferred spot in Annapolis, one of our favorite places on the Chesapeake Bay.  Our arrival happened to coincide with graduation at the Naval Academy and the town was packed with midshipmen and their families. A party atmosphere pervaded.  Friday morning was gloomy and rainy with strong winds, we were sorry that there wasn’t better weather for the graduation which was held outside.  We were fortunate that we could remain on board until the rain stopped and do our sightseeing in better weather.  We visited the Maryland State House, the oldest in the nation still in legislative use.

Tower of the Maryland State House

 One cannot avoid the sense of history that permeates this magnificent building.  It had been the capital of the United States between November 26, 1783 and August 13, 1784 and was the sight where George Washington resigned his commission before the Continental congress on December 23, 1783.  The Treaty of Paris was ratified by congress to end the revolutionary war on May 7, 1784 at this location as well. 

Maryland State House

 On the Naval Academy grounds we visited a wonderful exhibit on the War of 1812 highlighting the naval influence on the outcome.  It was fascinating and well presented.

War of 1812 Exhibit

While we were there we visited the chapel with the crypt of John Paul Jones, father of the United States Navy.

Chapel at the Naval Academy

Chapel Exterior

With the continued high winds we decided to stay an extra day. On Monday, May 26th we departed for Havre de Grace, located on the Susquehanna River at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Solomons to Oxford

On Saturday we departed our anchorage on St. Marys River. A breeze was blowing which got stronger as we headed back toward the Potomac River. We debated turning around but decided to continue on.  We encountered a few areas of rough water but by the time we got back to the Chesapeake Bay and turned north it smoothed out. Sunday morning was foggy, we departed with ¾ mile visibility to head across the bay to Oxford, Maryland to see our friends, Janice and John Elerding.  It was a smooth ride and, as we turned up the Tred Avon River leading to Oxford, the sun broke through.  A sure sign of the wonderful visit ahead.

Sunshine on the Tred Avon

 As we turned into Town Creek we called John and Janice and when we tied up at Campbell's Town Creek Marina they came down to the dock to meet us.  

Campbell's Town Creek Marina

Janice and John

  

We had a fantastic visit with them.  We toured their beautiful home and they showed us around their charming town.  Dinner that evening was at Latitude 38 with fabulous food.   An adorable 15 year old boy served the bread and kept our water glasses filled, we are sure has a future in theater! The next two days were filled with laughs and wonderful times seeing more of the area.  We found a delicious Mexican restaurant and Harry paid off a bet by buying ice cream at Scottish Highland Creamery (fabulous)! 

A Bet Between Friends

We rode the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, believed to be the oldest privately operated ferry in the country, started in 1683. 

Oxford-Bellevue Ferry

 When it was time for us to leave, we were able to extend our visit a bit more by having them ride with us to St. Michaels.  
 

On Our Way to St. Michaels

How Did John Get So Wet?

 It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed the ride and the wonderful lunch at the Town Dock Restaurant.  We hated to see them leave but we look forward to the next time we will be together.  We will move on to Annapolis tomorrow.

St. Michaels

St. Marys, Maryland

Our travels have taken us to one of our favorite anchorages on the east coast, St. Marys City on the St. Mary’s River and a tributary of the Potomac River. 

St. Marys College from the River

This is a truly gorgeous spot with calm waters, fantastic scenery and entertainment.  The entertainment consists of long dinghy rides exploring this beautiful area and going ashore at St. Marys College to walk their lovely campus and tour the remnants of St. Marys City, the first settlement in Maryland, also the first state capitol dating back to 1635.  Much archaeological excavation has been done here and many of the original sites have been recreated.  

Historic Chapel

Replica of the 1635 Maryland State House

 

An Afternoon Squall

After the Storm

Hali Enjoyed the Dinghy Rides Too!

           
























 It is a fascinating place in a beautiful setting and we were fortunate to have beautiful weather.